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> constant covering of everyone's facial expressions (no smiles) I have noticed little sympathy for this here on HN, as well as in interviews with scientific a
by Mediterraneo10 6y ago
> constant covering of everyone's facial expressions (no smiles)
I have noticed little sympathy for this here on HN, as well as in interviews with scientific advisors to my own government (who tell the journalist things like "masks are just a thin little layer of fabric, they have no drawbacks whatsoever!"). Often people point to Asia as a reason people should not feel any unease in a mask, but the smile famously plays a rather different role in Asian body language than in the West.
- vangelis 6y agoWhat's that joke about the extroverted and introverted engineer again?
- sunshineforever 6y agoI actually think that covering faces reduces stress. People ate able to have their boundaries and not feek pressured to smile for strangers when they don't want to. In 2021, a person having a bad mental health day can wrap their face up and not have to deal with anyone. Possibly taking a lot of pressure out of a critical tipping point of mental distress.
- brnt 6y agoAt least in normal people, the act of smiling releases some chemicals to make you feel better. Smiling at strangers therefore only feels oppressive to those who already have an underlying issue such as depression. I would therefore not say this is the general case: that it reduces stress.
- imartin2k 5y agoAlso, most people look more attractive wearing a mask. Leaves more room for fantasy. I kinda enjoy seeing masked people. But that’s just me.